What Are Industrial Solar Panels? Types and Cost of Commercial Solar Panels in India

Industrial solar panels, more popularly known as commercial solar panels, are installed on the rooftops of commercial buildings and industries. The panels are mainly composed of silicon solar cells that capture and convert sunlight into DC (direct current) output. If you’re getting a commercial bill, the rooftop solar you’ve installed is a commercial solar rooftop, irrespective of the size of the solar system. 

The per-watt-peak (Wp) price of industrial solar panels depends on the size of the solar system you’re planning to install. Here’s an estimated cost to make things simpler: 

• Systems less than 100 kW: Rs. 42 per Wp*
• 100 kW to 200 kW solar systems: Rs. 37 per Wp*
• 200 kW to 500 kW solar systems: 33 per Wp*
• 500 MW+ solar systems: Rs. 30 per Wp*
• 1 MW+ solar systems: Rs. 28 per Wp*

*Please note: The solar panel price list given above is indicative, and not fixed. The final cost of industrial solar systems can vary based on the type of solar panels you use (imported and non-DCR solar panels have a cost variation of ~15%), type of solar inverter you choose (string inverters and optimizers have a cost variation of ~10-15%), type of solar system, whether or not you use a battery energy storage system (BESS increases the final cost by almost 30%), mounting structure height, type of after-sales service, roof height, etc. 

The two main types of industrial solar panels installed in India are non-DCR solar panels and imported solar panels. 

• Non-DCR industrial solar panels for net metering: The non-DCR solar panels are the ones where the modules must be assembled in India. They’re slightly more expensive than imported solar panels, but they’re used in industrial solar rooftop systems when a net meter is required. In simple words, opt for non-DCR solar panels if there’s a chance that your consumption will be less than the solar electricity generated by your solar system. 
• Imported solar panels for behind-the-meter installation: Most industries in India prefer behind-the-meter solar installation instead of net metering because imported solar panels can be used here. These are cheaper, more efficient, and perfect when you’re sure you’ll use all the power yourself, and there will be no excess left to send back to the grid. It’s the most popular model for industries. 

The two primary solar panel technologies used for industrial solar panels in India are TOPCon and Mono-PERC. 

• Mono-PERC solar panels: They’re slowly becoming obsolete in India for commercial rooftop systems. However, they’re still the most preferred technology in rooftop solar panel systems for homes and housing societies because they’re used in DCR subsidy projects. Since a subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana is not offered in commercial installations, imported TOPCon solar panels are more affordable, making mono-PERC almost obsolete. 
• TOPCon solar panels: They’re the most popular modules in commercial solar rooftops because imported TOPCon solar panels are a lot more efficient and less expensive than mono-PERC DCR industrial solar panels. 

In this blog, we will walk you through the main types of industrial solar panels (non-DCR and imported), the cost of industrial solar rooftop installation in India in 2025, technologies used to build industrial solar panels (TOPCon and Mono-PERC), types of solar systems, and the benefits of going solar. 

TL;DR Summary Box: How Long Do Industrial Solar Panels Last?

When maintained professionally, industrial solar panels can last for 25+ years. It means that the rooftop commercial solar systems you install will generate free electricity for your business for at least 25 years. Plus, well-maintained solar systems work at 80% efficiency even after 25 years. 

Here are the main topics covered in this blog in detail:

*Please note: The solar plate price listed above is indicative, and not fixed. The final cost of industrial solar panels can vary based on the type of solar panels you use (imported and non-DCR solar panels have a cost variation of ~15%), type of solar inverter you choose (string inverters and optimizers have a cost variation of ~10-15%), type of solar system, whether or not you use a battery energy storage system (BESS increases the final cost by almost 30%), mounting structure height, type of after-sales service, roof height, etc. 

What Are Industrial Solar Panels?

Industrial solar panels or commercial solar panels are installed on the rooftops of industries and commercial complexes to take care of the energy requirements of the business. These solar panels capture solar radiation and use the photovoltaic effect to convert the captured sunlight into electricity. 

Industrial solar panels installed on rooftops must have the following features since they’re exposed to harsh outdoor weather conditions: 

• Low temperature coefficient: The lower the temperature coefficient, the better the panel’s performance. A solar panel with a low temperature coefficient will lose less power under high heat. 
• Higher efficiency: Out of the two most preferred solar panel technologies in industrial solar rooftop, it’s TOPCon solar panels that have a higher efficiency (25-26%).

The most commonly used industrial solar panels are imported TOPCon solar panels by solar panel manufacturers like Jinko and Longi.

What Are the Best Solar Panels for Industrial Use?

The best solar panels for industrial use in 2025 are the n-type TOPCon solar panels. The imported TOPCon panels are not only cheaper to install than the non-DCR solar panels, they’re also more efficient. 

Before we take you through the differences between Mono-PERC solar panels and TOPCon solar panels, you must understand what non-DCR and imported solar panels are and how the two differ from each other.

Non-DCR vs Imported Solar Panels

Non-DCR solar panels can be TOPCon or Mono-PERC. The primary concern is that the solar panel must be assembled in India to be considered non-DCR. These panels are mandatory if you’re opting for a net meter. 

Imported solar panels, on the other hand, can be imported as a whole. There’s no compulsion that any component of the panel should be made or assembled in India. These are usually cheaper and also more efficient. Hence, they’re the most preferred types of solar panels for industrial use. 

Here’s a tabulated snapshot of how the two differ:

Top Solar Cell Technologies: TOPCon vs Mono-PERC Solar Panels for Industrial Solar Rooftop Systems

The two main technologies used in industrial solar panels are Mono-PERC and TOPCon. Mono-PERC solar panels are made of p-type monocrystalline silicon and have an efficiency of 20-22%. TOPCon solar panels, on the other hand, are made of n-type silicon with an efficiency ranging between 25% and 26%. 

Imported TOPCon solar panels by Jinko and Longi have made mono-PERC solar panels obsolete in commercial rooftop solar systems. However, mono-PERC solar panels are still the preferred choice when it comes to rooftop solar for housing societies and homes where the government offers a subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which is exclusive for made-in-India solar panels.    

Let’s check out the main differences between mono-PERC and TOPCon solar panels to understand why imported TOPCon solar panels have made mono-PERC almost obsolete for commercial installations in India:

Please note: Although the manufacturing process for mono-PERC is more straightforward and hence, most cost-effective, when TOPCon solar panels are imported, they turn out to be cheaper than the non-DCR mono-PERC panels. That’s a significant reason why TOPCon has replaced mono-PERC in commercial solar rooftop systems. They not only turn out to be cheaper, but they’re also more efficient. Hence, unless net metering is required, most industries in India prefer imported TOPCon solar panels.

What’s the Cost of Industrial Solar Rooftop Systems in India in 2025?

The cost of industrial solar rooftop systems can range between Rs. 42 per watt-peak* for solar systems less than 100 kW to Rs. 28 per watt-peak* for systems above 1 MW. Moreover, the final cost will also be influenced by whether or not you opt for a battery energy storage system (BESS). BESS, in general, increases the solar system installation cost by approximately 30%. 

*Please note: The cost of industrial solar panels listed above is indicative, and not fixed. The final cost of industrial solar systems can vary based on the type of solar panels you use (imported and non-DCR solar panels have a cost variation of ~15%), type of solar inverter you choose (string inverters and optimizers have a cost variation of ~10-15%), type of solar system, whether or not you use a battery energy storage system (it increases the final cost by almost 30%), mounting structure height, type of after-sales service, roof height, etc. 

Now, let’s check out the price list for industrial solar panels in India in 2025 in detail:

*Please note: The cost of industrial solar panels listed above is indicative, and not fixed. The final cost of industrial solar systems can vary based on the type of solar panels you use (imported and non-DCR solar panels have a cost variation of ~15%), type of solar inverter you choose (string inverters and optimizers have a cost variation of ~10-15%), type of solar system, whether or not you use a battery energy storage system (it increases the final cost by almost 30%), mounting structure height, type of after-sales service, roof height, etc. 

What Are the Types of Industrial Solar Rooftop Systems? 

The three main types of industrial solar rooftop systems are on-grid solar systems, off-grid solar systems, and hybrid solar systems. 

• On-grid solar systems: Here, the solar system is connected to the grid through a net meter. The excess energy generated by the system is sent to the grid through the net meter. This type of industrial solar rooftop system does not have a lithium battery bank.
• Off-grid solar systems: Here, the solar system is not connected to the grid, but a lithium battery bank. Any excess power generated by the solar system is used to charge the batteries through a solar panel charge controller, which can be a built-in component in a solar inverter or a separate controller. 
• Hybrid solar systems: These solar systems are connected both to the grid and a lithium battery bank, but they’re extremely expensive. 

How Do Commercial Solar Rooftop Systems Work?

Solar panels capture sunlight and use the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity. Let’s understand how this process of sunlight-to-electricity conversion happens in simple steps:

• Solar cells in solar panels capture sunlight: The solar cells capture photons present in sunlight. 
• Photons excite electrons present in the solar cells: Those photons give energy to electrons in the cell’s material. Some electrons break free, leaving behind positive holes.
• An internal electric field separates charges: The built-in electric field in the cell pushes electrons and holes in opposite directions so they don’t immediately recombine. TOPCon’s passivated contacts help reduce recombination losses. Therefore, more of those freed electrons become useful DC power.
• Direct current (DC) flows through the external circuit: With the panel connected to wiring and equipment, electrons flow in one direction through a closed circuit. That one-way flow is DC.
• Direct current goes to the solar inverter: The solar inverter, usually string inverters on commercial rooftops, tracks the panels’ maximum power point (MPPT) and changes DC to AC.

What happens to excess solar energy generated by the solar panels?

• If you have net metering: Any surplus goes through the bidirectional (net) meter to the grid, and you get credits as per local policy.
• If you have a battery energy storage system (BESS): Surplus current charges the batteries. Later, the battery can power your loads when solar is low or at night.
• If you’re strictly behind-the-meter with no export: This design aims to match on-site use, so no surplus is left.

How Many Solar Panels Are Needed for an Industrial Solar Rooftop System?

Suppose you’re installing a 1 MW solar system using 580-watt TOPCon solar panels; in this case, you’ll need ~1,725 solar panels. 

Here’s the simple formula we’ve used to calculate the estimated number of solar panels:

Based on the formula above, here’s a tabulated snapshot of the number of 580-watt TOPCon industrial solar panels needed to build different capacity rooftop solar systems for industries:

What Are the Benefits of Industrial Rooftop Solar Systems?

Industrial solar panels can help your factory cut power bills and use less diesel, reducing your carbon footprint manifold. With high-efficiency solar panels, you get more power from the same space and steadier output even under intense heat. 

Let’s check out all the benefits of industrial solar panels in detail:

• Tax and GST advantages: Businesses installing commercial rooftop solar systems can claim accelerated depreciation on solar assets.
• Higher savings if your state has Time-of-Day (TOD) tariffs: Many discoms discount day use or add evening surcharges. If your state has this too, you can shift what you can to 9 AM-5 PM and let solar cover it.
• TOPCon solar panels offer steady power even during intense Indian summers: N-type TOPCon modules usually have a better temperature coefficient of around −0.29%/°C or even lower. Therefore, you lose very little power even when the roof is scorching during the heat waves in the summer.
• A naturally cooler top floor: Solar panels shade the roof. Multiple studies show that roof temperature can drop under arrays. This is very handy if you’ve got offices or HVAC right below the sheets.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Installing rooftop solar systems is equal to planting full-grown trees. Don’t believe us? Let’s give you some numbers on how commercial solar rooftop can make your city’s air cleaner:

Conclusion 

Industrial solar panels are commercial solar panels that generate free solar electricity using sunlight as the only fuel. Commercial solar rooftop systems can make your business less dependent on expensive grid electricity, reduce your electricity bills significantly, provide free solar electricity for 25+ years, and reduce your company’s carbon footprint manifold. 

The cost of industrial solar rooftop systems can range between Rs. 42 per watt-peak* for solar systems less than 100 kW to Rs. 28 per watt-peak* for systems above 1 MW. 

*Please note: The cost of industrial solar panels listed above is indicative, and not fixed. The final cost of industrial solar systems can vary based on the type of solar panels you use (imported and non-DCR solar panels have a cost variation of ~15%), type of solar inverter you choose (string inverters and optimizers have a cost variation of ~10-15%), type of solar system, whether or not you use a battery energy storage system (it increases the final cost by almost 30%), mounting structure height, type of after-sales service, roof height, etc. 

If you’re looking to install industrial solar panels at your company, submit a free solar project enquiry with SolarSquare today. 

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